The artistic lantern scenes of "Luminosa" illuminate Jungle Island with more than 160 tons of steel, 200,000 feet of silk-like fabric, 58,000 LED bulbs, and 720,000 feet of LED light strips. (Photo courtesy of Jungle Island)
We know what the past weeks have been like – impossible traffic jams starting at Art Basel Miami Beach and continuing through Christmas, calendars crammed with holiday events, parties and family visits, lots of food, drink and it just melted into a blur.
But now you can relax and enjoy an absolutely splendid holiday display because, unlike all these other events, which abruptly vanish by New Year’s Day, Jungle Island thoughtfully leaves its holiday spectacular, “Luminosa," up through March 7.
The Jungle Island festival, in collaboration with Lektrik Arts, is in its fourth year, and features 40 massive, glowing displays, and covers most of the park’s 1.35-mile trail.
The Jungle Island festival, in collaboration with Lektrik Arts, is in its fourth year, and features 40 massive, glowing displays, and covers most of the park's 1.35-mile trail. (Photo courtesy of Jungle Island)
The festival was so popular last year, in its return following the pandemic, that it attracted 90,000 people, “and this year we aim to break that record,” says Alondra Sanchez, marketing manager at Jungle Island.
The artistic lantern scenes illuminate Jungle Island with more than 160 tons of steel, 200,000 feet of silk-like fabric, 58,000 LED bulbs, and 720,000 feet of LED light strips.
'Luminosa' features more than 37 monumental, handcrafted lamp scenes created by over 200 people from around the world, including Chinese artists, graphic global designers, welders, and seamstresses. (Photo courtesy of Jungle Island)
The final design features more than 37 monumental, handcrafted lamp scenes created by over 200 people from around the world, including Chinese artists, graphic global designers, welders, and seamstresses.
The result is a nighttime event that takes guests on an illuminated journey across some of the world's most mystical ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to African savannahs, featuring cutting-edge animatronics, holograms, and interactive storytelling, unlike any other light festival in Miami.
According to Sanchez, this year’s festival is designed to be the most immersive and interactive as well, as visitors are invited along an illuminated journey through global ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest, the African Savannah and ancient Egypt.
" 'Luminosa’ is set up so that you visit different lands, both ancient, mythological, or across the globe; and the displays are completely handcrafted from Chinese silk lanterns. We have added new displays, so, even if you visited last year, it will seem new to you,” says Sanchez.
Towering capybara lanterns illuminate the “Colorful Amazon.” (Photo courtesy of Jungle Island)
Highlights of this year’s festival include:
- A “Winter Wonderland,” which is especially enticing because we live in snow-less Miami
- The 43-foot Chinese dragon that anchors the “Gateway of the Dragon Emperor”
- The Jaguar’s Temple, where an ancient jaguar mysteriously emerges from the shadows
- The Great Baobab Grove, featuring three luminous 19-foot-tall baobab trees
- Towering capybara lanterns illuminating the “Colorful Amazon”
- Jousting knights poised in front of an illuminated castle backdrop
- A giant chess game where the glowing pieces can be moved
- An enormous whale so large that guests can go inside it
- The Frozen Kingdom, which features polar bears, owls, Penquins and other winter animals, presided over by a magnificent wolf, and much more.
- An aerial performance
A 43-foot Chinese dragon that anchors the “Gateway of the Dragon Emperor.” (Photo courtesy of Jungle Island)
"Luminosa" traces its heritage to giant lantern festivals, that were popular dating back to 3,000 and 4000 BC. They originated in Egypt and Asia, and its roots can still be seen today, in the Indian tradition of Diwali and the ancient Israelite celebration of Hanukkah.
Some 300 to 400 years later, the original lamp celebrations of Asia began to influence Chinese culture, the company notes, and both the ancient and global influence of these lantern festival traditions can be seen in “Luminosa.”
Says Sanchez, “It is really an incredible attraction. There doesn’t seem to be one inch of the park that isn’t covered with lights and colors.”
IF YOU GO
- WHAT: Luminosa
- WHEN: Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- WHERE: Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, Fla., 33132
- TICKETS: Adults: $25.90 - $30.90, Children, 4-12 : $17.90 - $27.90, Family bundles and group rates are available, with discounts for seniors, students, and military personnel.
- INFORMATION: (305) 400-7000, www.luminosamiami.com
